The message was loud and clear at the American Heart Association Go Red for Women luncheon: Heart disease is the number one killer of women and one in three has some form of cardiovascular disease. Just ask Christine Baranski.

While the accomplished actress currently starring in CBS's The Good Wife is in good health, she works at it and she wants other women to join her. "We women have to be attentive to the inner and not just the outer," she told the gathering of more than 600 at the Hilton Americas-Houston.

After relating the story of her father's death at age 48 from heart disease, her brother's death from heart disease at the same age and her husband's heart attack and triple bypass two years ago, Baranski admonished the gathering of mostly women, "The truth is that we are also vulnerable, much more vulnerable than we would like to admit . . . It's not just the men who think they are invincible."

Somewhat soft-spoken and warm (a clear departure from her tough lawyer role on The Good Wife), Baranski quickly charmed the gathering by sharing her love of Houston. Her daughter is in law school at the University of Houston and her son-in-law works here so this was her fifth landing in the city. She recalled her visits to The Menil Collection and Rothko Chapel, huevos rancheros at Baby Barnaby's, ladies lunches at Tiny Boxwood's, dinner at Backstreet Cafe, shopping at Kuhl-Linscomb and knocking back beers with her daughter outdoors at the West Alabama Ice House.

For the record, Baranski's health routine includes practicing yoga, power walking and paying attention to her diet. She has a protein drink for breakfast and typically a salad, fresh fish and sauteed spinach for dinner.

Her talk was highlight of the luncheon program that included a testimonial by 23-year-old heart transplant patient Ally Babineaux, dubbed "the bionic bride," and presentation of the AHA Guild Volunteer of the Year award to Roz Pactor.

Also on the program, led by emcee Gina Gaston of KTRK Ch. 13, were luncheon chair Ayse McCracken and Circle of Red founder Pattie Dale Tye. The expo that accompanied the luncheon was chaired by Ilene Allen and Lu Caltagirone.

As is tradition, the ballroom was populated with a wealth of women wearing red. In fact, there was so much red from decor to dress that it felt like a Valentine's Day extravaganza. And it was, indeed, all about the heart. Among the ladies in red were Leila Gilbert, Jan Duncan, Bobbie Nau, Charlene Ripley, Rosemary Schatzman, Lilly Andress, Mary Ann McKeithan, Janet Gurwitch and Steve Tyrell, brother of Roz Pactor.

Tryell, on the arm of his bride Karen Pulaski Tyrell, wore a red Prada shirt. It's one he has in the closet for his visits to Rao's Restaurant in New York.